Governor Abbott Vetoes House Bill 2282 (84R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 2282 as passed by the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
The Texas Tax Code allows all property owners in Texas to bring an appeal in district court to challenge an appraisal district decision regarding their property. These appeals are important matters for property owners, who deserve a fair and predictable process by which to challenge the actions of appraisal districts. House Bill 2282 departs from the uniform, statewide rules governing appraisal appeals by allowing property owners in just one of the State's 254 counties to file their appeals with a justice of the peace instead of a district court. Unlike district courts, justices of the peace generally do not serve an entire county; instead they serve a particular geographic district within the county. Yet House Bill 2282 would allow property owners to choose any justice of the peace in the county to hear their appeal. This would invite forum shopping and would allow a justice of the peace to make rulings about property in a part of the county he or she does not represent.
Since the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
View a PDF of the veto here